One Stupid Boy: England vs Argentina at the 1998 World Cup
Description
This month, we revisit the epic last 16 match between England and Argentina from France 98. It was a match layered with history – the ‘Animals’ game from 1966, the Hand of God in 1986, not to mention the Falklands War.
England, managed by Glenn Hoddle (a veteran of 1986) had already had a campaign full of talking points – Eileen Drewery the faith healer, the axing of Gazza from the final squad, the omission of David Beckham from the Tunisia match, and the belated use of Michael Owen.
Led by Hoddle and his boundless self-confidence, the Three Lions faced an Argentina side, managed by Daniel Passarella (the winning captain from 1978). Argentina, with a 100% record and a defence that hadn’t conceded a goal yet in the World Cup, were packed with superstars – Batistuta, Veron, Ortega, Zanetti et al.
On paper, it was a promising game and it turned out to be an electrifying classic, great goals, great drama, heroic individual performances, an infamous red card followed by an infamous fallout, and, as always with England, a penalty shootout.
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